Steel Products Prices North America
SMU Price Ranges & Indices: Tightening of Spreads
Written by Brett Linton
December 11, 2018
We are seeing steel price spreads, the range from low to high on a product, tighten this week. Part of the reason is the lack of SMU collecting low-ball orders this week as we did last on galvanized. A second reason is that the high end of the range is being compressed. The net result is all flat rolled products, except galvanized, were lower this week. Plate prices continue to hold the line as the product has over the past couple of months.
Here is how we see prices this week:
Hot Rolled Coil: SMU price range is $740-$780 per ton ($37.00/cwt-$39.00/cwt) with an average of $760 per ton ($38.00/cwt) FOB mill, east of the Rockies. The lower end of our range rose $10 per ton compared to one week ago, while the upper end declined $20 per ton. Our overall average is down $5 per ton compared to last week. Our price momentum on hot rolled steel is Lower meaning we expect prices to decline over the next 30 to 60 days.
Hot Rolled Lead Times: 3-5 weeks
Cold Rolled Coil: SMU price range is $840-$880 per ton ($42.00/cwt-$44.00/cwt) with an average of $860 per ton ($43.00/cwt) FOB mill, east of the Rockies. The lower end of our range remained unchanged compared to last week, while the upper end declined $40 per ton. Our overall average declined $20 per ton compared to one week ago. Our price momentum on cold rolled steel is Lower meaning we expect prices to decline over the next 30 to 60 days.
Cold Rolled Lead Times: 4-7 weeks
Galvanized Coil: SMU base price range is $42.00/cwt-$44.00/cwt ($840-$880 per ton) with an average of $43.00/cwt ($860 per ton) FOB mill, east of the Rockies. The lower end of our range rose $40 per ton compared to one week ago, while the upper end declined $20 per ton. Our overall average is up $10 per ton compared to last week. Our price momentum on galvanized steel is Lower meaning we expect prices to decline over the next 30 to 60 days.
Galvanized .060” G90 Benchmark: SMU price range is $918-$958 per net ton with an average of $938 per ton FOB mill, east of the Rockies.
Galvanized Lead Times: 5-8 weeks
Galvalume Coil: SMU base price range is $42.00/cwt-$44.00/cwt ($840-$880 per ton) with an average of $43.00/cwt ($860 per ton) FOB mill, east of the Rockies. The lower end of our range declined $10 per ton compared to last week, while the upper end fell $20 per ton. Our overall average is down $15 per ton compared to one week ago. Our price momentum on Galvalume steel is Lower meaning we expect prices to decline over the next 30 to 60 days.
Galvalume .0142” AZ50, Grade 80 Benchmark: SMU price range is $1,131-$1,171 per net ton with an average of $1,151 per ton FOB mill, east of the Rockies.
Galvalume Lead Times: 4-9 weeks
Plate: SMU price range is $990-$1,030 per ton ($49.50/cwt-$51.50/cwt) with an average of $1,010 per ton ($50.50/cwt) FOB delivered to the customer’s facility. The lower end of our range rose $10 per ton compared to one week ago, while the upper end fell $10 per ton. Our overall average is unchanged compared to last week. Our price momentum on plate steel is Neutral meaning we expect stable prices over the next 30 days. The domestic plate mills continue to be on controlled order entry as their order books are strong with limited spot plate tonnage available.
Plate Lead Times: 5-9 weeks, allocation/controlled order entry
SMU Note: Below is a graphic showing our hot rolled, cold rolled, galvanized, Galvalume and plate price history. This data is available here on our website with our interactive pricing tool. Note that plate prices are not yet available on our website, but we are in the process of adding that dataset. If you need help navigating the website or need to know your login information, contact us at info@SteelMarketUpdate.com or 800-432-3475.
Brett Linton
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